For the first time, "The Bachelorette" is set to feature a deceased contestant, Eric Hill, and star Andi Dorfman says viewers deserve to see such an "incredible" person that the cast and crew got to know and love.

Hill died at age 32 in a paragliding accident in April and is one of 25 men who competed for her heart on the upcoming 10th season of the dating series. Dorfman talked to OTRC.com about Hill, dubbed an explorer from Citrus Heights, California, and why the "Bachelorette" season 10 is dedicated to him. The show returns on Monday, May 19.

"I mean, obviously, to hear sad news like that, is shocking, it's tragic," she said. "Me, the cast, the entire crew, whether it's sound or ? camera or, you know, producers -- everyone's affected by this and he was a part of our family and it's a huge loss for us. We wanted to dedicate this season to Eric and we wanted to show America the Eric that we got to know and love, which is somebody who really lived life to the fullest, who had a huge smile on his face and who loved life and we want to showcase that."

"The message and the impact that Eric had on us is something so undeniable that there's no way we can't share that with America," she added. "It is that incredible of a story and he was that incredible of a person and we want everybody to see what we got to see, fortunately."

ABC has said Hill completed filming on "The Bachelorette" before his death. OTRC.com has learned that the majority of scenes for seasons of the show and parent series "The Bachelor" are filmed weeks before the finales, which feature the finalist contestants and which are shot closer to the season premieres in a bid to avoid paparazzi leaking spoilers.

Reporting by Cari Skillman of KABC Television, which produces the entertainment show "On The Red Carpet" (check for local TV listings).